by Meara Platt
Mary scrunched her brow. This close, she could feel the tension reenter his body. “Squish me?” she asked as he started to pull further away but her arms were still about his neck and she held on tight, moving with him as he came to his side. She touched her nose to his. “Tell me what I’ve done to upset you.”
“I’m not—”
“You are.” She touched her forehead to his. “This close you can’t lie to me. I feel your change.”
He slumped then, gathering her close. “My first wife was a small woman. I loved protecting her until I couldn’t.”
Mary’s heart thudded in her chest and she understood the full extent of his fear. In this way, she was the worst choice for his wife. She squeezed him tight to her chest. “Tell me how me and your wife are different.”
He drew in a deep breath. “She’d been sickly as a child. She’d outgrown the disease but…”
She smiled, rubbing her nose softly against his. “Does it help you at all to know that I never get sick? I rarely even have colds. Even when I tended my cousins as children.”
His eyes brightened. “It does.”
“How was her first delivery with Anne?”
“Awful.” He shuddered again, then he locked his gaze on hers. “You said your family delivers babies with ease?”
Anne nodded. “I don’t want to make you false promises. But I can tell you, for better or for worse, often for worse, I am rather strong of character and body too.”
“I love that about you.” And then he captured her mouth in a searing kiss.
For her part, she closed her eyes and pretended he’d just said, I love you. And in her heart, she said the words back. She knew he’d put an end date on their physical relationship but for her, she didn’t want that part to end. Perhaps if the baby was born with ease, he’d change his mind?
She did want to laugh with joy that her Chase tenacity, the very thing she’d hated about herself, was the one thing he loved. Could she win his heart with strength alone? She knew she had to try.
Sin carefully straightened Mary’s clothing. He’d like to take her directly to his bed and keep her there for the entire night but Anne needed Mary more than he did. Still, some part of him cried out to keep her close. It wasn’t just Anne whom Mary was mending. He also felt the changes happening inside his heart, his soul.
“I’ll join you and Anne in the nursery for dinner,” he whispered close to her ear. He ran his fingers from her neck to her shoulder.
She reached up and touched his cheek. “I’d like that.” Standing on tiptoe, she pressed a kiss to his mouth. “Thank you for everything.”
“Everything?” His heart battered his rib cage, it beat so fast.
“For accepting my proposal, for this…” She gestured toward the carpet as she licked her lips. “Even if I were to die an early death.” She gripped his hands. “This time with you has made my life complete. I would die happy and—” Her breath caught. “I’m afraid I’ve quite fallen in love with you.” Then she released his hand and spun toward the door. But as the heavy panel swung open, she stopped short.
Reeves stood in the doorway, his face scrunched in pain as he stared at Sin. “You’ve allowed a viper into our midst.”
Sin sucked in his breath as Mary took a step back. He wrapped an arm about her waist and pulled her back to his chest. “You overstep.”
Reeves sneered. “I’m protecting you. You can’t see that this woman is using her beauty to manipulate you into gaining the position of mistress. One she does not belong in.”
Mary let out a gasp, covering her mouth with her hands, a shudder running through her body. Sin carefully tucked her behind him, stepping toward Reeves. “You will be making the trip to my country estate first thing in the morning. You will stay there until I decide what to do with you.”
“But, my lord.” Reeve’s brows drew together. “I am protecting you. She’s…” he pointed to Mary, “a social climber.”
Mary’s hand slid to Sin’s shoulder. “Reeves,” she spoke softly. “Your commitment to your lord’s happiness is commendable.”
Sin shook his head. “And your opinion of my fiancée is misplaced. Mary’s uncle is an earl.”
Reeves let out a soft whoosh of breath. “I didn’t know. Besides…” He held up his hands. “She’s small like Lady Sinclair. What if-—”
“Enough,” Sin cut the other man off. Reeves had been the family’s butler since he’d been a boy of ten. With his grief and without a mistress, he’d allowed Reeves to take over many tasks, but he was beginning to understand that he’d allowed a lot of life to slip out of his control, including his own fears. “Reeves, you’ve been a faithful employee and I am most grateful. But my marriage is none of your concern. If you value your position here, you will turn around and go to your room and pack your bag at once.”
Reeves’ face fell. “I only want what’s best for you.”
“Don’t sack him,” Mary whispered low so only he could hear.
He turned back to drink in her lovely features still flushed from their lovemaking. “He was rude to you.”
“He’ll learn his place.” Mary looked over his shoulder at Reeves. “Loyalty is a difficult trait to find.”
Sin shook his head. “You are unfailingly the kindest person I’ve ever met.” He looked back at Reeves. “Perhaps you would like to edit your opinion of the new mistress of the house?”
Reeves eyes grew very round. “It’s been decided then?” The man took a half step back. “You’ll marry her.”
Sin pointed his finger toward the door. Mary was likely right that Reeves’ loyalty was unfailing but he couldn’t have Reeves pestering his new bride either. Mary needed time and space to put this family back together. And he was ready to help her in that mission. “You’ll spend the summer in the country. I hope you’ll use your trip for reflection. When we join you in the fall, you’ll greet the new countess with all the respect her title deserves.”
Reeves gave a quick jerk of his chin. “Yes, my lord.” Then he spun about and raced down the hall.
After he left, Sin turned to Mary, wrapping his arms about her. “Are you all right?”
She nodded but didn’t meet his eye. “Fine.”
He placed a hand under her chin. “You can’t lie to me when we’re this close. I can feel it.”
That brought a ghost of a smile to her lips. “It’s just that when you said my size made you afraid, I thought you were too close to the situation to see it for what it was. But when Reeves said it…” She shook her head. “I did coerce you into proposing. Reeves is right about that. What if I’m leading you down the wrong path?”
If he thought he’d loved this woman before, he nearly burst with the emotion now. “Reeves is overstepping and the reason for that is me. I’ve needed someone to take me by the hand and show me the way. I allowed his role in this house to grow beyond what it should be because I wasn’t able…” He paused. “Mary, no other woman could have brought me so far in so little time. You are not a temptation to be denied. More and more, I think you’re my redemption.”
Chapter Thirteen
Cole’s words filled her with hope. A feeling that carried her through the night and into the next morning. From that hope, grew joy when she learned they’d be wed within a fortnight. Her uncle had been able to secure the license for their nuptials.
So when Anne, bounding with enthusiasm, asked if they could celebrate with a picnic in the park, Mary agreed. The child had slept fitfully with Mary in the bed across the room and all around, it seemed like a day for celebration.
Cole had gone out for the morning, but she left a note on his desk, that they’d journeyed to the nearby park with a picnic lunch. She invited him to join them if he was able.
Setting out, they made their way to a perfect picnic spot next to a large pond with several rowboats parked on a pier. Anne clapped with delight. “Can we take one for a row?”
Mary smiled as she turned back to the basket. “In a
bit. First let’s get our picnic set up.” Much of London would journey out to walk or ride in parks such as these, but many would wait until the afternoon. It was still early yet and only a few others graced the paths at this time of the morning. “We’ll set up in the shade of that tree so that we might spend the day if we’d like. I brought some paint supplies and—” She stopped as she heard the scrape of wood against wood.
Anne had traversed the dock and was pushing off the pier in her little boat. “Anne,” Mary called sharply. “Come back at once.”
Anne tried to maneuver the oar but it slipped in the lock. The boat drifted out further from the pier as she struggled to gain control of the small boat. “I can’t get it to work.”
Mary started down the path to the pier. “Take a deep breath and then pull the oar closer to your body.”
But as the girl fumbled again, she let go of one of the oars and it promptly slipped into the lake. “Oh,” Anne cried, immediately reaching for the oar. “Let me just.”
“No,” Mary called. “Don’t.” but it was too late. The boat tipped and Anne toppled into the water, the boat landing upside down on top of her. Mary gasped and then, not sure what else to do, dove into the water. Thank goodness, summers spent in the country meant she could swim and her light summer fashions didn’t drag her down. With sure strokes she made her way to the boat diving under the water to find Anne in its murky depths. She crested once, panicking when she couldn’t see the child but then a piece of fabric on the water’s surface caught her attention. Anne was under the overturned boat.
Diving back in, she pushed to the rowboat, coming up and out of the water in the dark of the little boat. Anne was barely conscious, her hand loosely holding the oar as she moaned softly.
“Anne,” Mary gasped grabbing the bench, to give herself a bit of respite. She reached her other hand under the girl’s neck to make sure she could still breathe. “Anne, are you all right?”
“Mary?” The girl turned toward her. “I think I hit my head.”
Mary pulled the girl closer. Inwardly she flinched. At least Anne was alive, but swimming the girl back was going to be challenging. And then there was Cole. He’d kept Anne tucked away doing lessons for years. One trip to the park and she’d nearly destroyed his child. “It’s all right. Let’s get out into the sunlight and then we’ll figure out how we get to the shore.
“I don’t want to let go of the boat.” Anne answered.
“You don’t have to. We’re just going to duck under the edge while we keep holding on. Can you do that?”
Anne nodded. “I think so.”
“Such a brave girl.” She stroked Anne’s cheek.
“You’re not angry with me?”
Mary shook her head. “I would like you to proceed with more caution. Your father trusted us to be adventurers. We have to reward him with doing so in a safe manner.”
Anne wrapped her free arm around Mary. “I love you.”
“I love you too.” She kissed the girl’s head. “Now hold your breath and close your eyes. We’re going under.”
Sin arrived home to find a lovely note with scrolling handwriting in the center of his desk. The words, however, made him shift. They’d gone to the park.
Their excursion shouldn’t be a big deal. And yet, he’d managed to keep Anne under his watchful eye and to have her gone…
Fortunately, Mary had given him the exact location. He breathed a sigh of relief. How did she understand he needed to know these things? He covered his heart with his hand. She’d confessed her love yesterday. He hadn’t been able to say the words back, which made him hang his head in shame.
All night, as they’d dined together, laughed together, and then tucked his daughter in, he’d been tempted to say the words. “I love you, Mary. You’re my salvation.” But his fear held him back.
Perhaps this picnic was the perfect opportunity to rectify his mistake. After grabbing his hat, he headed for the park after them. He spotted their blanket almost immediately. First, there were no others set up but it was also the same one they’d used the day before. Glancing about, he didn’t see them anywhere. And then his eyes landed on the overturned boat. No one was about. His heart seized in his chest and without another thought he threw his hat to the ground, ripping off his coat as he sprinted toward the water.
He didn’t pause as he dove into the murky water and cresting the surface, he heard a small cry.
“Papa.”
That made him stop. Looking ahead, he saw both Anne and Mary holding the edge of the boat. “We’re all right,” Mary called. “We just…”
Without a word, he began swimming for them again. He could have lost them, lost them both. How could they do this to him? But then he stopped. How much of his life would he live to avoid all the things that might go wrong? That wasn’t fair to Anne or Mary. He’d been trying to protect her to the point of barely living life.
Reaching the boat, he grabbed Anne in a hug. “Mary,” he gurgled out. “Put your arm about me too.”
She draped her free arm about his shoulders. “I’m so sorry,” she gasped. “I pushed too far. I—”
“It’s my fault. I didn’t listen to Mary. I won’t do it again.” Anne pulled back. “Papa, don’t change your mind. Please marry Mary.”
He shook his head. They knew him too well. “Of course I am going to marry her.” He pulled back. “I love her, you know.”
Both of them gasped. “You…you love me?” Mary asked.
He leaned over and kissed his fiancée. “More than I can ever say.”
“You’re not angry at me for this?” She looked at the boat.
“I am, a bit. And angry at myself too. I can’t keep the people I love tucked away from danger always. I see that now.”
Mary squeezed his shoulders. “We’ll do better to keep you from worrying.”
“Say. Are you all right out there?” a man called from the shore. “I can row another boat out to you.”
“That is an excellent idea,” Sin called back. Then he looked at Mary. “Let’s be honest, my method wasn’t working very well. I’m ready to try it your way.”
She kissed him then, her mouth soft against his. “Thank you for that.” Then she giggled, whispering close to his ear. “My way involves more than one child in our future.”
He kissed her cheek. “Mary. It only took one time for me to understand there’d be no stopping you. I’m at your mercy.”
Epilogue
Two Years Later
Mary lay in her bed, tired but so satisfied, she didn’t think she’d ever have a more perfect moment in her life.
In her arms lay their beautiful new baby boy. Behind her, cradling her to his chest, was her husband. He stroked her hair back from her temple as he kissed her forehead. “You made that look easy.”
She chuckled. “It wasn’t.”
“Still. You were impressive. I….” He kissed her again. “I never imagined birth would be so beautiful.”
“I never imagined you’d stay for the whole thing.” She turned to capture a kiss from his lips.
He shook his head. “While I like doing things your way, I’m still me. I need to be here to make certain nothing goes awry.”
“That is an excellent point.” She kissed him again. “Isn’t he beautiful?”
“Edward might be the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen in my life, besides you, of course,” he answered. “And Anne.”
She rubbed her cheek on his chest. “Sometimes I think I might need to pinch myself because in my wildest dreams I never imagined my life would be like this.”
“Like what?” he asked, placing his arm under hers to help support Edward.
“A fairy tale,” she answered. “My happily ever after.”
The baby gurgled, content at her breast as Cole rocked them both. “You’re my happily ever after too, my second chance when I never thought I’d recover from the first,” he said.
“So tell me.” She looked up, smiling into his e
yes. “Have you decided to leave my bed? I’ve given you your heir.”
He quirked a brow. “You know very well that I am never leaving your bed. You don’t have to point out what a fool I was to think it was even a possibility.”
She gave a small giggle. “Sorry my love, it’s just rather satisfying to know you love me and that our happy ending doesn’t have an expiration.”
“Fair enough. But you know I never question any of your Chase instincts. You’ve even won over Reeves.”
Reeves had spent the last several days keeping Anne company as Mary had been too advanced in her pregnancy to do so. “He only wanted to protect you,” she said. “In the end, he knows I make you happy.”
He stroked the baby’s head, still rocking them both. “Me and Anne. You make us both happy. You have put us back together when I thought there was no hope. Mary Sinclair, you are my everything.”
Her heart nearly burst from her chest. “You’re my everything too.”
– The End –
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Earl of Sin is Book Six of the Lords of Scandals Series
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Want to see where this series started?
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Lords of Scandal series:
Duke of Daring http://tammyandresen.com/books/duke-of-daring/
Marquess of Malice http://tammyandresen.com/books/marquess-of-malice/
Earl of Exile http://tammyandresen.com/books/earl-of-exile/
Viscount of Vice http://tammyandresen.com/books/viscount-of-vice/
Baron of Bad http://tammyandresen.com/books/baron-of-bad/
About Tammy Andresen
More about Tammy Andresen
USA Today Bestselling Author, Tammy Andresen lives with her husband and three children just outside of Boston, Massachusetts. She grew up on the Seacoast of Maine, where she spent countless days dreaming up stories in blueberry fields and among the scrub pines that line the coast. Her mother loved to spin a yarn and Tammy filled many hours listening to her mother retell the classics. It was inevitable that at the age of 18, she headed off to Simmons College, where she studied English literature and education. She never left Massachusetts but some of her heart still resides in Maine and her family visits often. Visit her website at http://tammyandresen.com.